Scene quiet before frenzy of big game, planned protests
ATLANTA (AP) - The scene was relatively quiet Monday morning around the stadium in downtown Atlanta where the College Football Playoff title game was set to be held. A light drizzle fell on some fans milling about, but there were no anti-Trump demonstrators in sight.
At least two groups have announced plans to protest President Donald Trump's visit to Atlanta for the game, which was set to kick off after 8 p.m. But their announced actions were scheduled for later in the day, closer to the time of the president's arrival.
The Atlanta branch of the NAACP is urging people to wear white to the game and to bring white towels to wave when the president enters the stadium. The white is meant to mock the "snowflake" insult that Trump supporters have made against those who oppose the president.
FILE - In this Dec. 31, 2017, file photo, the Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers huddle during the first half of an NFL football game, in Atlanta. Atlanta's new $1.5 billion stadium is about to be on perhaps its largest national stage for the Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, College Football Playoff title game, fans say the glitzy facility is living up to the hype despite a series of construction setbacks that delayed its opening. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)
"We're going to make a snowflake turn into a mighty blizzard inside of Mercedes-Benz stadium when Mr. Trump comes," Gerald Griggs, a vice president of the Atlanta NAACP, said at a news conference Monday.
The organization also planned a "Twitter storm" beginning at 6 p.m. and continuing through the end of the game. They plan to use the hashtag #AllTrumpsLies to highlight what they say are lies told by the president.
Another group, Refuse Fascism ATL, said it was planning a demonstration outside CNN's world headquarters near Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The group plans to "take a knee" there at 6:30 p.m.
Atlanta police have said they will set up several designated areas for protesters and won't interfere with demonstrations unless protesters break the law. Local, state and federal law enforcement authorities said last week that they've worked for months to develop security plans.
FILE - In this April 28, 2017, file photo, President Donald Trump speaks in Atlanta. Trump disparaged the city as "crime infested" and falling apart" after the city's Democratic congressman, Rep. John Lewis, announced he would not attend Trump's inauguration. Atlanta residents didn't forget those comments, and some think he is being hypocritical by attending the college football championship at the city's new stadium on Monday, Jan. 8. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)
FILE - This Nov. 1, 2017, file photo shows the Mercedes-Benz stadium in Atlanta. Atlanta's new $1.5 billion stadium is about to be on perhaps its largest national stage for the Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, College Football Playoff title game, fans say the glitzy facility is living up to the hype despite a series of construction setbacks that delayed its opening. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart, File)
